Submissions have opened on a proposed new environmental certification system for the forestry sector. Sources: Scoop Independent News, Radio New Zealand
New Zealand’s leading developer of Standards and Standards-based solutions has called on national stakeholders to provide input into the draft DZ 4708, the draft National Sustainable Forest Management Standard.
This draft standard is a proposed adoption of Australian Standards AS 4708:2013 Sustainable Forest Management that has been revised by Australian Forestry Standard Ltd.
The AS 4708 provides forest owners and managers with environmental, economic, social, and cultural criteria that support the sustainable management of forests.
By adopting this Australian standard it is proposed that New Zealand users will have a voluntary standard that:
• provides a means by which exporters of New Zealand forest products can demonstrate compliance with importing countries’ requirements for legally sourced wood and wood-based products
• may be applied by farm foresters to woodlots, as well as to large plantation forests
• may be applied to native forests, whether or not they are used for production purposes.
A standards development committee of New Zealand stakeholders has been formed to assess the appropriateness of AS 4708 for use in New Zealand.
“There is a strong interest by stakeholders in the international recognition,” said Ben Gunneberg PEFC secretary general following a range of meetings with stakeholders in New Zealand.
“There is a strong interest by stakeholders in the international recognition provided by PEFC.
“PEFC supports the development of a national sustainable forest management standard, which will provide New Zealand stakeholders with a viable option to provide evidence for their sustainable practices.
“There is a strong interest in the international recognition and endorsement provided by PEFC, and we are looking forward to working closely with forest owners, industry representatives, Standards New Zealand and other interested parties to outline potential ways forward.”
Gunneberg had meetings in Wellington and Auckland with forest managers and supply organisations over a three-day visit.
During his visit he spoke at the PEFC NZ Promotions Initiative seminar in Auckland on Wednesday.
“This was the optimal time for Ben to be visiting New Zealand,” said Kayt Watts managing director, Ingénue Consultancy and primary partner in bringing Gunnerberg to New Zealand.
“The rapid progress of Standards New Zealand and the New Zealand Wood & Wood Products Stakeholders in addressing the need for a National Standard identified the importance of ensuring that PEFC was fully aware and able to offer support for the possible global recognition of the National Standard through the PEFC Alliance.”
The international Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification may endorse the system.
Submissions can be made through the Standards New Zealand website and close on 22 October 2013.
Nineteen of New Zealand’s largest forest companies, representing more than one million hectares of plantings, already belong to another international certification system run by the Forestry Stewardship Council, which provides similar guarantees.
